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Understand the significant alterations to the Swedish citizenship regulations set to come into effect in June 2026.
Swedish version here
On 10 February, the Government submitted a bill to the Council on Legislation proposing stricter rules in the Swedish Citizenship Act, with the aim of strengthening the status of citizenship and protecting the value of Swedish citizenship. The new requirements include longer residence periods, a new maintenance requirement, knowledge tests in Swedish and civics, and a sharply limited possibility to acquire citizenship through notification. Here is an overview of the most important changes.
Longer residence period – eight years becomes the new main rule instead of five
The Government proposes increasing the main rule for residence when applying for citizenship from five to eight years. Exceptions are proposed for various groups of applicants: Nordic citizens and former Swedish citizens will need to have lived in Sweden for two years, stateless persons for five years, and refugees (those with formal refugee status), as well as those married to or cohabiting with a Swedish citizen (with durability requirements), and young adults under 21 years of age will need a residence period of seven years. For spouses and cohabitants, the relationship must have lasted for at least five years and the Swedish partner must have been a Swedish citizen for at least five years.
Stricter conduct requirements – from “honorable” to “orderly and honorable”
The Government proposes requiring that an applicant has had, and can be expected to have, an orderly and honorable way of life. The current requirement of “honorable conduct” is proposed to be changed in the law to “orderly and honorable conduct.” In practice, this means the assessment should consider not only any crimes committed in Sweden but also indebtedness inside or outside Sweden, involvement in an organization responsible for systematic abuse, or being subject to restraining orders. The Government also believes that the waiting periods — the time after crimes, etc., before citizenship can be granted — should be extended and provides updated guidelines. For children who have reached the age of 15, orderly and honorable conduct will also be required when applying for naturalization (i.e., through application, not by birth or adoption in Sweden).
New maintenance requirement introduced
A maintenance requirement will be introduced when applying for Swedish citizenship. The requirement is met if the applicant has salary or self‑employment income and has not received income support for more than six months in total during the three years prior to the application. The income must be at least three income base amounts per year; certain subsidized employment or income types will not be counted, and the ability to support oneself must not be only temporary. The most recently established income base amount is 83,400 SEK (2026), which means the maintenance requirement would be 250,200 SEK per year or 20,850 SEK per month (gross income before tax). Exemptions can be given, for example, to those entitled to certain pension benefits, full‑time students (with conditions), upper‑secondary students, or if it cannot reasonably be required for other personal reasons.
Knowledge requirements – citizenship tests in Swedish and civics
The Government also proposes introducing requirements for sufficient knowledge of the Swedish language and Swedish society to obtain citizenship. These requirements will apply to those aged 16 to 67. Knowledge can be demonstrated through a passed result on a special citizenship test. The Swedish test will assess reading and listening comprehension at a functional level, as well as writing and speaking skills at a basic level. The Swedish Council for Higher Education (UHR) has been tasked with developing the test with support from Stockholm University and the University of Gothenburg. The different parts of the test will be rolled out in stages and the full version should be possible to complete by 1 October 2027. Until then, the Government proposes that language skills can be shown through alternative approved Swedish qualifications from grade 9 in Sweden or another Nordic country, upper secondary school, Swedish for Immigrants (SFI), municipal adult education (Komvux), or an approved result on a language test used by universities to assess Swedish proficiency required for higher studies. It will be up to the deciding authority (the Migration Agency) to assess what corresponds to an approved language test.
The civics test will assess basic knowledge of Swedish society and be designed in Swedish at a functional level. The law also provides alternative ways to demonstrate knowledge, such as through a passing grade in civics or social sciences (e.g., from grade 9, upper secondary school, or Komvux). Exemptions may be granted if, due to disability or other personal circumstances, it is not reasonable to require the applicant to demonstrate the knowledge.
The notification procedure will be phased out – more individuals referred to application
Citizenship can currently be obtained through application or notification. Notification is a simplified procedure used for specific groups considered to have a special connection to Sweden (e.g., Nordic citizens) and involves fewer requirements. The Government proposes phasing out notifications as far as possible. Stateless children and young adults, children and young adults with foreign citizenship, and former Swedish citizens will no longer be able to obtain citizenship through notification. Notification will mainly remain only for stateless individuals born in Sweden and stateless since birth, certain children born abroad to Swedish fathers (transitional rules), children who acquire citizenship as a consequence of a parent’s notification, and Nordic citizens according to Nordic agreements.
Children gain opportunity to apply for citizenship
The Government proposes enabling children to independently acquire Swedish citizenship through application. Previously, children’s citizenship was not separately regulated; it was processed alongside a parents’ application or notification. In the new legislation, special conditions for children’s naturalization are regulated, including requirements for identity, permanent residence permit, residence periods varying by age and status, conduct requirements from age 15, knowledge requirements from age 16, and consent from age 12 in certain cases.
Possibility to regain citizenship lost at age 22
The Government proposes enabling individuals to regain, with retroactive effect, Swedish citizenship lost through “prescription period” (loss at age 22), without any application deadline. The reason includes aligning Swedish law with EU law and case‑law from the Court of Justice of the European Union, which requires an individual proportionality assessment and the possibility to retain or regain citizenship retroactively.
When can the changes enter into force?
The main legislative changes are proposed to enter into force on 6 June 2026. Parts of the regulation concerning the Swedish language test are proposed to take effect later — 1 October 2027, or earlier for certain elements — while other parts of the language test will come into force at a time decided by the Government.
EY’s analysis
The proposed changes represent a comprehensive overhaul of Swedish citizenship law. Requirements for longer residence, Swedish language proficiency, and self‑support introduce entirely new conditions for many who plan to apply or have already applied for citizenship. Today, the processing time for most adult citizenship applications is nearly 4 years (47 months). Introducing additional requirements subject to individual assessment is unlikely to shorten existing processing times under the current system. Employers hiring foreign workers should note that the path to Swedish citizenship will become both longer and more demanding, which may affect workforce planning and the retention of international talent. EY is happy to assist with advice regarding citizenship or other grounds for residing and working in Sweden.
Authors
- Andreas Bråthe, Partner Global Immigration, 073-397 24 33
- Elin Harrysson, Senior Manager Global Immigration, 073-255 77 02
- Karin Falkman Lundberg, Manager Global Immigration, 072-186 11 65
- Elsa Tirén, Manager Global Immigration, 076-853 19 79
Summary
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